Race Report British Superbikes - Silverstone Rounds 1 & 2 March 2004

Pre-Meeting

Well there is a fair bit here really. If you print these pages out for a read later on the throne, put a bit more in the paper tray as it may roll out to a few pages. Hee..Heee..Waffle..Waffle....Bla...Bla..

The first shocker of 2004 was we received notification from MCRCB Events that due to the sheer number of entries (around 42 we are led to believe) for the Superbike Cup (previously known as the Privateers Cup) we were on a reserve list of four as there were only 16 spaces available, so we basically had to wait for a problem to arise, or a rider to be injured before we could get to race. I now know how a vulture feels waiting for it's moment to pounce. Personally I do not wish anyone to be injured or hurt in this sport, especially me.

This was a major shock as we had been there in 2003 and had beaten some more established teams in the rounds we finished, some of which had been accepted on the grid for 2004. We also figured that as we committed ourselves to BSB in 2003, when privateers were needed in order for BSB to retain the TV deal, we would be first on the list as a thanks for helping us out in difficult times. We heard the TV contract was based upon a minimum number of riders starting to make the viewing interesting. I heard it was a minimum of 24 competitors, hence why they panicked when there were only 17 odd at the first round in 2003 at Silverstone. 

This panic was the major instigator of the Privateers Cup being formed in the first place from Oulton Park onwards. Personally I feel it makes the event more interesting as no-one likes to stand there watching one bike pass every 45 seconds or so after parting with hard earned money. After all, it is supposed to be entertainment.

Unfortunately our loyalty to the series and good results on the few events we completed was obviously not part of the selection equation, hence we were left high and dry as on paper we finished 19th in the 2003 Privateers Championship. The fact that we only attended five events and actually only finished 5 races out of the possible 10 was not considered. The other bitter pill we had to swallow was we had been in contact over the winter with the MCRCB Technical Director to ask if it the Privateers Cup will continue in 2004 as we were considering spending a few quid on the bike to make it more competitive and we received a statement back, "Go ahead with your plans". So we did, on the assumption we would be there. 

I bet there were a few laughs over that one after the selection process with the knowledge that Timmy's turkey at Christmas was smaller than previous years as he had just spunked a load of cash on new brakes and other mods.

Well, all was not lost.....I still had my pride............seriously though, as a reserve we were invited to the Donington Test Day. This went well despite dreadful conditions of high wind (Pharp!), rain and just plain cold and miserable really. The wind was so bad it bend our wind out awning. Nice, must have been the curry.

During this event there was a casualty in the form of Warren Scott who crashed in the second session and broke his collar bone. Although in doing so he did post the 2nd fastest lap and was a Kawasaki sandwich between the HRC factory Hondas which was nice to see a privateer in that position. 

We were called to race office and informed we would be at Silverstone as a place had just popped up due to rider injury. Obviously we only realised why later and hoped Warren was OK apart from the inconvenience of a broken bone which has to heal..

As you can imagine we went home feeling well pleased with smiles from ear to ear and looking forward to Silverstone.

On Monday I fired up the computer only to read an e-mail saying we were back on the reserve list as Warren called to say he would be fit for Silverstone. Although I was pleased for Warren, I have to say I had mixed emotions regarding the e-mail as it was a bit impersonal and had no consideration for the people that are affected by a reversal in decision, which are namely the volunteers who take time off work to attend for the weekend. They also have to square it away with their families etc to be there.

It made everyone involved feel like low life and some of those involved wanted to pick the phone up and say a few words (some of which I have never heard of), but I did not feel that was the professional approach, or would actually be very constructive towards my cause, so I ended up jotting a few tactical lines on e-mail just to try to explain our feelings as I felt we had been dealt a bum hand to date considering who had been accepted. I am sure everyone will have their own version of events on this subject anyway.

I am the first to admit we do not have the biggest awning, the biggest shiniest truck or the most expensive exotic ex-factory machinery, but I had foolishly thought our results were good in 2003 and we deserved a bit of recognition for our efforts, especially as we were let down on numerous occasions by others outside of our control which left the bike lacking in performance and suffering poor handling through bad advice. Not to mention this is the first time we have raced a big 4 stroke and still put a few well known names to shame.

I ended up talking to MCRCB events and after the situation was explained in more detail I figured, well, OK, we will have to wait and see what happens, although I did ask that we were not called up on Friday morning on the day of testing to say, "you can come now" as that was way too short notice and even I have to give my employer 48hrs notice to take the Friday off.

As it happens, in all the confusion, we missed out on a Wednesday test day at Silverstone due to numbers booked already. It appears that everyone had had three 50 minute sessions to get up to speed with the track, so we knew were already starting with a major handicap as I have not raced here since 2000 on the 250 GP bike and that was prior to the new chicane. There was a lot of catching up to do.

I had a call from Stuart Higgs to say we were being accepted as a Wild Card entry. Cheers mate, that was such a relief as we so desperately wanted to get out there for us and our sponsors, plus I have had good results here on the 250 in both BSB and MRO championships and love the circuit wet or dry so I was well up for it. Bring it on!!

So, it was all systems go for leaving Thursday evening. Excellent!

I arrived Thursday evening and set up on my Jack Jones (another version of Billy No Mates). It was weird being there without Penny, but I just got on and dealt with it, although at least I could have the music up loud on the way there. Party On!

 
HERE WE ARE

Friday - Free Practice 1

My father arrived nice and early (for a Sunday lie in anyway), although I had been up since 7am getting the bike sorted with part worn tyres, fuel, signing on, picking up new discs from AP Racing and attending the riders briefing. A few new faces there. This was the first time I had heard of the new qualifying rules. At Silverstone it would normally be 110% of the third fastest time sets the qualification limit, it is now 107% of the fastest time.

I felt a bit of a lump in my throat as although we were always within the 107% (we used to check this as we heard rumours this may happen for 2004) calculated on the third fastest time, we never thought it would be set by the pole setter. This is a double whammy as far as tightening up the rules go, but then I am a fan of making it harder as I have been affected in the past by slower riders and imagine it's even more of a pain when this is your livelihood and that a slow rider getting in your way in the heat of battle could have cost you a fat pay check by way of an incentive bonus.

The reason I felt a lump in my throat was not any doubt in my mind that I would not qualify, but with the WSB's one make tyre rule switching manufacturers factory efforts towards BSB, and the new Hondas are real hand made weapons of pure beauty and speed, I did wonder how much the stakes would be moved up in terms of lap times on qualifying tyres on this exotic machinery.

It would be interesting whatever the outcome. I looked at last years results and figured I would try to aim for low 1:33's as that would have given me at good result as Paul Jones finished in 11th place last year doing 1:33's, so at least it was something to aim for.

I had spoken with Crescent Suzuki prior to this event and they advised me that the linkage I bought would affect the spring as the existing linkage was progressive and now it is linear, plus the rising rate is changed which changes the leverage forces through the linkage (Phew...that was quite a mouthful) as it will now be softer than with the original linkage. This soft rear would be compounded by the fact that I can now run the rear wheel further back (thus increasing the leverage) so I was desperate to get it changed for a harder spring. To make things worse, the Donington test day resulted in one of the fork seals blowing and it was now seeping fluid down the fork leg, which is not good as the brakes are there too. Mind you, that squeaking noise has disappeared.

Unfortunately for me K-Tech had not arrived at Silverstone yet, so I decided to go out and do a few laps as I needed the track time, but I had not intended to last the whole session just in case the fluid leaked onto the discs and caused a braking problem. You can just imagine tugging the brake lever to find it was as lubricated as a porn star's stunt cock and had little affect on the intended slowing down process.

Going out on the circuit was OK, until I came around to the new chicane section..............Yipes!!! How tight is that! 

Lap after lap I tried to get some form of rhythm through it, but I messed up every time. I had that feeling of being a mobile chicane myself in this session here as not only had everyone been here last year and knew the best way trough it, but to make matters worse, they had been here just two days ago so I was well off the pace.

This is probably the worst chicane I have ever encountered, a real riders nightmare. I can just see the designers sitting round the table now," I know, let's bang that in there and really mess the flow up. Those damm bikers....wot...wot." I can't imagine the person who designed this can sleep at night knowing what's they have done as it has ruined a fantastic circuit and I feel it creates more of a danger area than bikes running down the grass on the start finish straight through carrying too much speed onto the straight.

There really was so much more potential to incorporate a change to slow the exit speed down, rather than create a hazard on the entry from losing the front, or being T-Boned and a further hazard of high siding on the way out. Frankly its the slow speed crashes that often break bones as they are generally very sudden and very hard whereas a faster crash is normally a sliding affair with less of a harsh landing, unless you hit something along the way.

After 8 laps I decided It would be best to get the suspension sorted as it was leaking badly now and the rear felt like a bag of grandmas blamonge it was so soft and sagging on every throttle opening.

I had set my fastest lap at 1:37.925s and the fastest of the session was set by Michael Rutter at 1:27.603s.......yep, I had a steep learning curve ahead to reduce that cavern of a gap. The gap was so big I was thinking of offering helicopter tours.

I rushed the bike back to the awning and started to dissect the beast. After 1/2hrs surgery the rear shock and front forks had been amputated and I quickly took them to the specialists (K-Tech) for diagnosis and corrective surgery.

Unfortunately they were under water with the sheer numbers of people asking for suspension changes so I disappeared to get some food and sit in the waiting area. It feels like you are an expectant father as the clock ticks by and you get forever closer to the next session. The hands start to sweat and you constantly check the clock, just in case you missed the last second.

After an hour I whizzed back to find the rear shock was sorted (Many Thanks Guys) and this was reinstated in the bike as fast as possible. Then I waited until just 1/2 an hour to spare and returned to find the truck empty. Oh, Nooooooooooooo! I wrote a quick note to Chris and the guys to let them know the forks had been taken 'officially' and these were then reinstated in the bike. The wheels were in, sag checked and I left my dad to turn the bike off once it was warmed up. I rushed into the van to change into my play suit and I was off ....to infinity and beyond!! Well, OK, to the collecting area on the bike. That was very close. I think I had 3 seconds spare to get a sneeze and a fart in before I had to go.

After the session the forks were removed again and whizzed them back to K-Tech. They asked, "What's wrong with them?" to which I replied, "you know, I was here earlier with one of the seals which had blown." They looked puzzled and said, "Is it still leaking then?". I said, "I guess so as I haven't looked at them."

Well, they just fell about laughing.................."Er, the reason it's not leaking Darren is because we have fitted new seals". Well, I can tell you I felt a prize plonker and must have turned scarlet with embarrassment. "Ooops, sorry guys.....I'll....Um....Er...go and put them back in then. Cheers!"

That's probably the most daft thing I have ever done (well apart from the time I gathered a load of mates together for a house party and when we arrived at the door with all the booze in fancy dress, the girl opened the door in her pyjamas only to tell us it was yesterday, but we were welcome to have a coffee). Even now I still can't stop smiling just thinking about it. Hee...Heee..

Mind you, there was another time when............

Friday - Free Practice 2

This session was better and I was now getting up to speed. Well relative speed compared with the last session. I mean, let's not get carried away here.

The bike felt so much better for a stiffer spring (one for the ladies I am sure) and I am almost tempted to go harder again (Yes, that's what you like to hear baby) , but I'll have to see if we have time to do this. I would change the spring myself, but I have no clamps to squash the spring to allow you to dismantle the shock.....well, not yet anyway. Dear Santa...........

The only thing that perhaps needs looking at is the shifter as the gear lever catches the body of the adjuster collar and after a few laps it has moved enough to stop it shifting which is very annoying. We will look into this to make improvements. It could be a simple matter of changing the rod length to move the lever enough to miss the switch body or adding a spacer to step the rod out that few millimetres to clear the switch body.

I eventually completed 16 laps in this session and set a better time of 1:34.423s, although Rutter had also moved his game up and set a 1: 26.432s lap which with the new qualifying rules means I still have a distance to cover before I am safe for qualifying.

That evening I walked the track with Mike Walker to figure out this chicane as it was my Achilles heel for sure. It appeared that the curbs are too high to warrant going straight on, so another cunning plan had to be devised. I know, I'll follow what everyone else does, if I see anyone that is. Being such a length and so few riders out at any one time, you can spend all day without seeing a single bike. Well, apart from the one you are on that is.

So far so good, but we wondered what was in store for tomorrow as far as the weather goes and also how fast can those Honda's really go with qualifying tyres on. GULP!

Jack arrived around 9.30pm and we had a quick beer in the bar before crashing out as it was to be an early start tomorrow.

Saturday - Qualifying Session 1

We put a new rear tyre on for the first session and the track was a little damp in places which did not warrant a 'full on' approach as any mistake would put you onto the damp stuff and that could mean a quick introduction to the medical crew if all went wrong.

While it appeared everyone stayed in pit lane, I decided to stay out and keep some heat in the tyres as the track was slowly drying up, plus I also needed more track time.

Towards the end of the session the 'big boys' came out to play and I was passed by Glen Richards on the Kawasaki on the approach to the chicane (yep, still figuring it out) and just as I turned left I suddenly saw 'Monster Mob' up the side of a fairing........Jeeezzzusss that was a bit close. It was Emmett trying to close in for the kill on Richards. By the time I gathered my line back they were well on their way.

After a quick breather I went back out and started to reduce my times. Then with about 10 minutes remaining the rain started again so I decided to pit and call it a day as there was no point in changing tyres at this stage.

A few of the other teams were on their way out to do their best laps and ended up in the gravel as the surface had become slippery. Apparently four went down on the entry to Copse, including Rutter and Glen Richards.

I was now down to a 1:35.949s lap which was not too far away from Sean Emmetts provisional pole time of 1:29.255s and would be good enough to qualify so I crossed my fingers that it would rain later and the times would not be improved upon. In the speed traps we were 31st fastest across the start line at 123.8mph against the fastest of Dean Thomas at 136.6mph and 24th fastest on the approach to Abbey at 143.7mph with the fastest being Ryuichi Kiyonari at 154.6mph.

My speed across the start line was enough indication to show the exit speed from the chicane costs me dearly as this is at the start of the straight, so all that time was compounded to the end of the straight.

All that said and done I was 29th out of 31 riders and even had Gordon Blackley behind me which was surprising as he has been racing Superbikes for many years.

During the break between sessions my dad took a quick trip to Race Control to ask about wrist bands to gain pit lane access for Race Day. He was told that this system is no longer used and permanent passes must be used. Great! Being that I only knew Tuesday that I was to be at Silverstone, how could we possibly know for sure who is going to be there for the weekend and also the probability of getting passport photos in time is somewhat limited as everyone is at work during the day.

My dad returned saying there was no movement on this set-up and he was told to go forth and seek a passport photo machine. This is not a very ideal situation for a 'Wild Card' entry process, or indeed a reserve process, as I may have different people arrive for each race weekend as we will not know from event to event what the score is as far as being offered the opportunity to get out there.

Two hours later my dad and Jack returned with the photos needed and permanent passes were issued. Just as well this was not during the race day otherwise I imagine a few dummies may have exited the pram with the accuracy of a laser guided missile.

Fortunately they returned in time for prepping the bike for the next session.....just. Mind you, just to pass the time while they were away, I did have a game of hunt the toolbox which I thankfully became reunited with in Park Ferme. Phew! That could have been a disaster as all the major wheel removing tools were in that box.

Saturday - Qualifying Session 2

The track was now dry as the Sahara desert, but without the sun and heat.

Jack and I had been getting tyres changed, checking tyre pressures etc and we had also decided to change the gearing to see if it would help our cause in reducing the lap times. If you don't try these things, you will never know.

The only thing that might have slowed us down was the fact that we miscalculated the fuel and now had the tank filled to the brim. Even though the fuel was at the lip, my dad was still trying to fit a further 3 litres in. Hee...Hee...the irony of it all. 

Yep, not even room for a drop of sweat. My dad tried in vain to put an element of humour into the equation by saying at least I would not have to stop for the whole 50 minute session. Heee...Heee...Heee....such wisdom. If only it were an endurance race and a 24 hour one at that. I may as well strap a few diving weight to my arse to really slow me down properly.

We had no facility of draining the tank, other than by pipette, so I just had to get on with it with a full tank which is not the best qualifying plan as all that fuel is one hell of a weight to shift around, not to mention hindering braking and acceleration as well as general handling.

Out on track and I was starting to feel at home on the bike as this was possibly the first time since September 2003 that I had ridden it in the dry, but the chicane really was not getting any better for me. On one lap Rutter flew past me on the exit of the chicane so I dug in deep to chase him. I stayed with him exiting Copse but the Honda pulled a gap, however I pulled it back going through the fast Maggots section into the right hander before the little chicane which surprised me. Yes, I know, it probably surprises you too, but these top lads are only human after all.

Exiting the flip flop chicane his Honda pulled a reasonable gap, but I managed to just pull a little back going into Abbey. From then on he pulled a few yards here and there until we reached the chicane where he was about 30 meters in front. I was tipping it left as he was exiting the chicane and by the time I exited it he was gone. Vanished.......Wow, that must have cost me a couple of seconds of fart arising around. I just could not understand how I was getting this so badly wrong lap after lap and really needed practice here under less pressure so I could experiment with lines until it felt good.

Copyright www.brakingzone.co.uk

All that said and done I eventually ruined the rear tyre to the extent it was spinning up exiting most of the right handed corners. Good fun, but not condusive to reducing lap times. I was getting faster and faster all the way through the session and eventually did my fastest lap on lap 20 out of 22 at 1:33.674s which I was pleased with............that is.....until Rutter pulled a 1:26.135s lap out of the bag on qualifying tyres. Ho Hum.............better start packing then.

A quick dash to the van and a few rushed prods on the calculator soon delivered the bad news............if this time stood after Park Ferme was over we would not make the qualification maximum.

We waited in anguish for the time sheets and when they arrived the only comfort was there were two others who were heading for an early bath too in the form of Gordon Blackley and Dijon Compton. I met Dijon shortly after the session and we swapped condolences which was some kind of relief that my disappointment was shared with someone else in the same boat.

This was the first time since racing began in 1995 we had not qualified for a British Championship round. Although disappointed I actually feel no real emotion as I know we would have been there if we had attended the test session and got up to speed faster. The situation was unfortunate, but we will be there in the next event we are allowed to compete in, as we have to wait being a reserve for the official nod. We know we can cut it at this level, but we need to be on a level playing field and that additional track time would have been a huge benefit bearing in mind we had not been to Spain over the winter getting loads of laps under our belt.

The best thing of all was, even after 22 laps (Race distance) I was not at all knackered and although a bit sweaty, I could have jumped on and done it all again with relative ease which is a massive change to last year where the gall bladder operation hindered my fitness for months.

I would like to say a big thanks to Jack and my dad for being there for the weekend as it made life so much easier and with Jack racing too he understands the race scene and is very good with the spanners as well as a good sounding post when discussing thoughts about set up etc.

I watched the BSB racing on SKY TV on Sunday with a cup of tea in a relaxed fashion and have to say it was a great couple of races to watch, although seeing the conditions of the first race I am sure there were many there that had wished they could have traded places with me for that one race. Boy did that tea taste good.

We have just received a call to say we are in at Brands Hatch on 10/11/12th April 2004, so hopefully we will see you there.

Don't miss it!